{
  "id": 8636923,
  "title": "British pop star Ed Sheeran calls Israel's treatment of Gazans 'unjustifiable,' apologises for Macklemore controversy",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/british-pop-star-ed-sheeran-calls-israels-treatment-of-gazans",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-20T07:05:18.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dawn",
    "slug": "dawn",
    "url": "https://www.dawn.com/news/2031340/british-pop-star-ed-sheeran-calls-israels-treatment-of-gazans-unjustifiable-apologises-for-macklemore-controversy"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "British pop star Ed Sheeran apologized on Saturday for his handling of a controversy involving rapper Macklemore being removed as an opening act over Macklemore's \"Free Palestine\" comments. Sheeran described Israel's treatment of Gaza residents as \"unjustifiable\" and said the October 2023 Hamas attack as \"horrific.\" He also called Israel's subsequent invasion, which has killed thousands in Gaza, \"catastrophic and unjustifiable.\" Sheeran also criticized the expansion of Jewish settlements in the West Bank. His response contrasted with earlier statements where he claimed to have only \"political forums\" at his concerts. The controversy began when Macklemore announced he would not perform at a concert in Massachusetts if he continued to speak out about Palestine. Subsequent acts also withdrew their participation. Sheeran expressed concern about concert venues vetting performers' content, stating it should not happen in the \"free world.\" Despite the controversy, Sheeran's concert in Philadelphia proceeded as scheduled and drew both supportive and critical audiences. Pro-Palestinian protesters gathered nearby, discussing the situation in Gaza and advocating for Palestinian rights.",
  "summary": "Pop star Ed Sheeran apologised on Saturday for his handling of a controversy that erupted this week when rapper Macklemore was removed as an opening act over comments on Palestine . Breaking his silence on the issue, the British singer decried Israel’s treatment of residents in Gaza as “unjustifiable.” “I’ve had to take and make difficult decisions and I am making mistakes and I’m so, so sorry,”…",
  "key_points": [
    "Ed Sheeran condemns Israel's treatment of Gaza as unjustifiable.",
    "He apologizes for removing Macklemore due to his Free Palestine comments.",
    "Sheeran criticizes Israeli settlements in West Bank and concert venue content vetting."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 8,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National Business",
        "title": "'What is happening in Gaza is unjustifiable': Ed Sheeran admits 'mistakes' after Macklemore controversy",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/what-is-happening-in-gaza-is-unjustifiable-ed-sheeran-admits-mistakes",
        "published": "2026-09-20T03:38:18.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Japan Times",
        "title": "Pop star Ed Sheeran says Gaza situation ‘unjustifiable’ following controversy",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/pop-star-ed-sheeran-says-gaza-situation-unjustifiable-following",
        "published": "2026-09-20T04:46:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Irish Times",
        "title": "‘We have skin in the game’: TD backs ‘half Irish’ Macklemore after Sheeran ditching",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/we-have-skin-in-the-game-td-backs-half-irish-macklemore-after-sheeran",
        "published": "2026-09-20T05:00:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Times of Israel",
        "title": "Ed Sheeran says Gaza situation ‘unjustifiable’ amid ongoing outcry over Macklemore’s ouster",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/ed-sheeran-says-gaza-situation-unjustifiable-amid-ongoing-outcry-over",
        "published": "2026-09-20T06:50:06.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Ed Sheeran calls Israel's treatment of Gazans 'unjustifiable,' apologizes for Macklemore controversy",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/ed-sheeran-calls-israels-treatment-of-gazans-unjustifiable-apologizes",
        "published": "2026-09-20T07:12:02.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "CNBC World",
        "title": "Ed Sheeran calls Israel's treatment of Gazans 'unjustifiable,' apologizes for Macklemore controversy",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/ed-sheeran-calls-israels-treatment-of-gazans-unjustifiable-apologizes-8642345",
        "published": "2026-09-20T07:52:16.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "DW English (Top Stories)",
        "title": "Ed Sheeran speaks on Gaza in concert after Macklemore controversy",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/ed-sheeran-speaks-on-gaza-in-concert-after-macklemore-controversy",
        "published": "2026-09-20T08:00:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}